Connection fitting device with clean-out

ABSTRACT

A connection fitting for mounting a pressure gauge or the like comprising a generally Y-shaped tubular body in which a straight body portion is threaded at one end for connection with a fluid source, the body having a branch portion for mounting the gauge, and with a reciprocable clean-out plunger in the straight body portion having an actuating part extending from the opposite end of the straight body portion, whereby the clean-out plunger can be moved across the inner end of the branch portion and into the fluid inlet flow path leading to the branch portion for keeping the same free of occluding media.

United States Patent 451 July 11,1972

Brown [54] CONNECTION FITTING DEVICE WITH CLEAN-OUT [72] Inventor:Donald J. Brown, La Crescenta, Calif. [73] Assignee: MorehouaeIndustries, Inc., Fullerton,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 72,452

[52] US. Cl. 137/244, 25 [/324, 73/420 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6k5/22 [58]Field Search l 37/240, 375, 244, 557, 245; 73/420, 324, 332; 25 I/324,322

[56} Relemences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,530,433 I l/l950 Jaegle137/244 2,448,816 9/1948 2,963,259 12/1960 1,704,759 3/1929 PrimaryExanu'nerHenry T. Klinksiek Anomey--Whann & McManigal 5 7] ABSTRACT Aconnection fitting for mounting a pressure gauge or the like comprisinga generally Y-shaped tubular body in which a straight body portion isthreaded at one end for connection with a fluid source, the body havinga branch portion for mounting the gauge, and with a reciprocableclean-out plunger in the straight body portion having an actuating partextending from the opposite end of the straight body portion, wherebythe clean-out plunger can be moved across the inner end of the branchportion and into the fluid inlet flow path leading to the branch portionfor keeping the same free of occluding media.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing figures CONNECTION FITTING DEVICE WITH CLEAN-OUTBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally tothe field of pipe fittings and connectors.

Devices have heretofore been known for use in protecting inner workingsof gauges which are connected to a vessel or container for fluids whichare corrosive or contain media of a clogging nature. Such devices havein the main been unsatisfactory and have the same inherent weaknessagainst clogging. For example, a diaphragm gauge has a diaphragm thatseparates the pressurized fluid from the working parts of the gauge toprotect them from direct contact with corrosive fluid or clogging media.The entrance to the diaphragm is still vulnerable to the above notedconditions which can cause malfunction. Consequently some type offlushing arrangement must be provided or the gauge physically removedfrom the vessel and cleaned periodically.

Moreover, it has been known from US. Pat. Nos. 837,035 and 2,5 30,433 toincorporate a clean-out plunger as a part of the stem structure of avalve organization, such as utilized in gauge-cocks for boilers and fordrain valves and the like for tanks or containers where there is apossibility of the valve flow passages becoming occulded by sediment,deposits, sludge and the like.

In these patentented structures. the combining of a cleanout plungerwith valving elements for selective actuation to valve closed and valveopened positions, necessarily results in a relatively expensivestructure, as compared to a simple fitting device according to thepresent invention, which embodies and is concerned only with the problemof keeping open a flow passage therein.

The present invention overcomes the problems of the heretofore knowndevices by providing a simple and economically producible generallyY-connection fitting in which a cleanout plunger is mounted in a mainleg of the fitting. The structure of the present invention differs fromthe previously known arrangements as noted above, in that the plunger isnormally urged to a retracted position, but may be manually operable toreciprocably move the plunger across and into the inlet fluid flow pathconnection to the branch leg of the fitting so as to keep the path open.A further feature of the improved fitting resides in the provision of agrease injecting fitting in the branch leg, whereby the bore passage maybe filled with a grease material to form a barrier between the containerto which the fitting is connected and a connected gauge instrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to afitting structure such as utilized for making pipe connections, and ismore particularly concerned with a fitting having a clean-out mechanicaloperable to prevent the fitting inlet from becoming occluded, withoutthe necessity of having to disconnect the fitting.

Having in mind the inherent disadvantages of the known devices, it isone object of the present invention to provide as a unitary device, aconnection fitting having a built-in clean-out means.

A further object of the herein described invention is to provide afitting which is particularly advantageous for the mounting of pressuregauges and the like, and which incorporates manually operable means formaintaining the connecting passageways clear of occluding materialswhich could interfer with the gauge operation and produce erroneousreadings.

Another object is to provide a connection fitting having clean-outcomponents, the fitting having a branch connection adapted for theconnection of an instrument such as a pressure gauge, and wherein thebranch connection is provided with a fitting for the injection of agrease into the flow path through the branch.

Still another object is to provide a simple lever actuator for movingthe clean-out plug, whereby greater mechanical advantage may beobtained.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be broughtout in the following parts of the specification, wherein the detaileddescription is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention withoutplacing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. I is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a connectionfitting device embodying the features of the present invention; and 7FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section, showing a modifiedarrangement in which an actuating lever is provided for obtainingmechanical advantage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For illustrative purposes, thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1 as embodying a fitting A which isarranged for the mounting of a pressure gauge, generally indicated at B.upon a tank or container as generally indicated at C, for a fluid underpressure, and particularly a fluid which of itself might have adeleterious effect upon the gauge, or which may contain media of anoccluding nature such as might form a sediment. deposits or sludge inthe passages connected to the gauge.

More particularly, the fitting A comprises a generally Y- shaped body inwhich two legs of the Y, as shown at and 10!; are in axial alignment,while the third leg 10c extends laterally at an angle to form a branchconnection which is arranged to be connected in a conventional mannerwith a connection stem 11 of the gauge.

The leg [00 is threaded as shown at l2 to provide a connection nipplewhich may be connected with the container connection 13.

The connection nipple 12 connects with an axially extending first boreportion 14 of a sufficient length to extend into the leg 10b. A branchbore 15 extends into the leg 100 to provide a communication with thegauge.

The leg 10b at its outermost end is provided with an end cylindricalbody portion l6 which extends outwardly from a bottom wall defined by anannular flange 17 of the bore wall and forms an enlarged second boreportion providing an end opening recess I8 which axially connects withthe first bore portion 14 through a bottom wall restricted passage 19.

The bore 14 has reciprocably movably mounted therein a clean-out plunger20 which is connected at its uppermost end with an elongate stem 21,this stem extending through the bottom wall passage 19 and being ofsufficient length to extend beyond the outer end of the fitting leg 10b.

The outermost end of the stem 21 is threaded, as indicated at 22, forconnection with a bottom 23 of an inverted cap member 24, a tubular sidewall 25 extending from the bottom 23 and having overlapping slidingengagement with the outer wall surface of the cylindrical body portion16.

For normally yieldingly urging the plunger 20 in a direction towards thebottom wall 17, and the connected cap 24 to an outwardly position withrespect to the cylindrical body portion 16, there is provided acompression spring 26 which surrounds the projecting end of the stem 21and is positioned with one end in engagement with the bottom 23 on thecap member. The opposite end of this spring acts against the bottom wall17, an abutment washer 27 being interposed between the spring end andthe adjacent wall.

The washer 27 is utilized to provide a dynamic seal at the adjacent endof the bottom wall passage 19, and for this purpose is centrallyprovided with a bevelled annular seat 28 in confronting relation to thebottom wall 17. The annular seat is operatively engaged with an O-ring29 positioned between the washer and adjacent surface of the bottom wall17.

At the other end of the wall passage 19, there is provided a static sealin which an O-ring 30 surrounds thestem 21 this ring being disposedbetween the adjacent end of the plunger 20 and the adjacent surface ofthe bottom wall 17.

As described above. it will be apparent that the clean-out plunger 20will normally be positioned as shown in FIG. I, wherein the outer end ofthe plunger is spaced so as to not interfere with the communicationbetween the inlet end of the bore 14 and the branch bore 15. However,when it is desired to clean-out the inlet of the fitting, this is easilydone simply by manually depressing the cap 24. By alternately depressingand releasing, the clean-out plunger will be reciprocated in the bore 14and thus facilitate the clean-out operation.

In some installations, it is desirable to protect the working parts ofthe gauge from direct contact by the fluid in the container C. This maybe done by using an injection fitting 3] of conventional type havingconnection with the branch bore 15. This fitting permits the injectionof a grease into the bore 15 ahead of the gauge connection.

In some installations higher pressures may require the use of a strongerspring 26, and thereby necessitate that a greater pressure be applied tothe cap 24 than would be possible simply by pushing the cap with thebare hand. For such purpose, an actuating lever 32 may be provided. inthe embodiment shown, this lever is pivoted intermediate its ends by apin 33 to a pair of spaced ears 34-34 affixed to the bottom 23 of thecap. One end of this lever is fulcrumed by a pivot pin 35 at one end ofa swingable link 36 having its other end connected by a pivot pin 37 toa bracket arm 38 of a bracket 39. This bracket may assume variousconstructions, and could be integrally formed with the fitting body.However, in the illustrated structure, the bracket is provided with asplit clamping ring 40 arranged to be tightly secured by means of aclamping bolt 4] in a well known manner.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that it will be clearlyapparent that the stated objects of this invention will be obtained bythe structure according to the foregoing description.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of my invention, and, hence, I do notwish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned.

lclaim:

l. A connecting fitting unit for connecting a pressure indicating devicewith a source of pressurized fluid, the fitting having means manuallyoperable to clean out and maintain a connecting passage in the fittingfree of any occluding media carried by the pressurized fluid,comprising:

a. a generally Y-shaped hollow body structure, including: a straightbody portion with a mounting connection at one end, and an integrallyformed lateral branch body portion with a mounting connection at itsouter end for a pressure indicating device; an aerial bore in saidstraight body portion including a first bore portion of uniform diameterin communication with said one end of the body and said lateral branchportion, an enlarged second bore portion of uniform diameter incommunication with the other end of said body portion. and an annularflange in the bore wall between the inner ends of said bore portionsdefining a restricted passage between the bore portions;

. a cleaning plunger reciprocable in said first bore portion having anelongate stem at its inner end extending through said restricted passageand outwardly beyond the other end of said body portion;

. a compression coiled spring surrounding said stem with its inner endrestrained by said annular flange and its outer end being restrained byan abutment carried by the outer end of the stem, said spring acting tonormally position said plunger in said first bore portion so as toenable unobstructed communication with said branch body portion, butbeing manually movable towards said one end against the pressure of saidspring to effect a clean-out operation in said first bore portion; andmeans for sealing said stem in respect to said restricted passage.

2. A fitting device according to claim 1, including a grease injectingfitting mounted on said lateral branch of said body structure, andhaving a communicating connection with said branch interior.

3. A connection fitting according to claim 1, wherein said sealing meanscomprises an O-ring operative between the inner end of said plunger andsaid flange to provide a static seal, an abutment washer between theinner end of said spring and said flange having a bevelled annular seatfacing said flange, and an O-ring operative between said seat and flangeto provide a dynamic seal.

1. A connecting fitting unit for connecting a pressure indicating devicewith a source of pressurized fluid, the fitting having means manuallyoperable to clean out and maintain a connecting passage in the fittingfree of any occluding media carried by the pressurized fluid,comprising: a. a generally Y-shaped hollow body structure, including: astraight body portion with a mounting connection at one end, and anintegrally formed lateral branch body portion with a mounting connectionat its outer end for a pressure indicating device; an aerial bore insaid straight body portion including a fIrst bore portion of uniformdiameter in communication with said one end of the body and said lateralbranch portion, an enlarged second bore portion of uniform diameter incommunication with the other end of said body portion, and an annularflange in the bore wall between the inner ends of said bore portionsdefining a restricted passage between the bore portions; b. a cleaningplunger reciprocable in said first bore portion having an elongate stemat its inner end extending through said restricted passage and outwardlybeyond the other end of said body portion; c. a compression coiledspring surrounding said stem with its inner end restrained by saidannular flange and its outer end being restrained by an abutment carriedby the outer end of the stem, said spring acting to normally positionsaid plunger in said first bore portion so as to enable unobstructedcommunication with said branch body portion, but being manually movabletowards said one end against the pressure of said spring to effect aclean-out operation in said first bore portion; and d. means for sealingsaid stem in respect to said restricted passage.
 2. A fitting deviceaccording to claim 1, including a grease injecting fitting mounted onsaid lateral branch of said body structure, and having a communicatingconnection with said branch interior.
 3. A connection fitting accordingto claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprises an O-ring operativebetween the inner end of said plunger and said flange to provide astatic seal, an abutment washer between the inner end of said spring andsaid flange having a bevelled annular seat facing said flange, and anO-ring operative between said seat and flange to provide a dynamic seal.